Food check punching device



Sept. 27, 1938. 5 TAUB 2,131,601

FOOD CHECK PUNGHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29, 1937 2 SheetsSheet l INVENTOR Sept. 27, 1938. s T 2,131,601

FOOD CHECK PUNCHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a food check punching device.

This invention contemplates the construction of a device as mentioned which is characterized 5 by the fact that it has a body with a window 10 The invention further contemplates the provision of a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of the ticket so engaged in the body and adapted to be individually manipulated to punch the ticket.

'15 It is proposed that each jaw punch device be capable of being first shifted to its punching position over the ticket portion, and then operated to punch the ticket.

Still further the invention proposes the pro- 2 vision of a plurality of plungers adapted to be selectively manipulated and associated with the jaw punch devices in a manner so as to selectively control the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a food check punching device which is characterized by transparent members through which the check may be viewed, and punches behind the check adapted to punch different amounts on the check.

. 30 Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as mentioned which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, 35 and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. 40 In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a ticket adapted to be punched by the punching device.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the punching 45 device.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a food check punching device constructed according to a modification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the 55 line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional View taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another type of 5 food check or ticket adapted to be punched by the punching device.

Fig. 10 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 9.

The food check punching device is adapted to punch food checks or tickets similar to the ticket l0 l0 illustrated in Fig. 1. These tickets are generally used in restaurants. The device comprises a body II formed with a Window openin !2. There is a means mounted on the body for supporting the ticket I!) in a manner so that its central portion is free and viewable through the window opening l2. A plurality of jaw punch devices are positioned along the sides of the ticket and individually manipulatable to punch the ticket as hereinafter more fully described.

The body II is formed with a vertical portion I l and with a horizontal portion l l This vertical portion ll extends above the horizontal portion and is formed with the window opening 12. The window opening is closed with transparent panes of glass l2 so as not to interfere with the view of a ticket placed in the device. A drawer H in the bottom of the body is for the purpose of collecting punchings which may fall from the punch devices.

The means for horizontally holding the ticket comprises a bottom channel shaped member I5 supported by several struts 16, which in turn are mounted on the body I i. This channel shaped member I5 is adapted to receive the lower end 5 of the ticket. The upper end of the ticket It is supported by flange portions H which engage about an opening l8 through which the ticket may be inserted. The parts are so arranged that when the ticket is inserted into the body its top end 10* projects sufficiently so that it may be gripped and removed when desired.

Arranged on each side of the ticket, and within the body, there are a plurality of punch devices, each one comprising a jaw element 29 adjacent a cooperative jaw element 2|. These jaw elements normally are positioned so as to straddle the faces of the ticket l0 when the punch device is pivoted over towards the ticket. The jaw element 20 has its lower end formed with a slot 23 through which a stationary supporting bolt 24 extends. This bolt is mounted upon the wall of the body II. The jaw element 2| has its lower end 2 l extending downwards and fixedly mounted on a depressible and turnable rod 25. This rod is supported by a bearing 26 intermediate of its ends and by another bearing 21 at a point where it extends out from the front of the body section li An expansion spring 28 acts b tween one of the walls of the body ll and the rod 25 for normally urging it outwards. The rod 25 has a plunger head 29 upon its outer end.

A pin 30 serves to pivotally connect the jaw element Zi with the rod 25. The arrangement is such that the plunger head 29 may be turned for pivoting the jaw punch device to a position indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 4. In this position the jaw elements straddle the faces of the ticket Ill. The plunger 29 may now be pressed inwards to pivot the jaw elements relative to each other and move the jaw punch device to punch the ticket. Upon the jaw elements there are proper punching dies indicated in Fig. 3 b reference numeral 3|.

Each of the jaw punch devices are of identical construction but are arranged at slightly diff-erent elevations, as may be understood by inspecting Figs. 2, 3 and 4, so as to be capable of punching the ticket H3 at its various positions.

Each punch device is urged into a neutral position by a spring 32. This spring is connected between one of the jaw elements 2| and a pin 33 mounted upon a wall of the body H. A stop pin 34 also projecting from the wall of the body serves to limit pivoting of the jaw punch device, by action of the spring 32, to its neutral position.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When a customer purchases a five cent item he places his ticket into the ticket punching machine and the store clerk grips the plunger knob 29 representing 5c, turns the knob to turn the punching device to the 5 position, and then presses in the plunger knob 29 to operate the punch device to punch the ticket at the 5 position. The customer now pulls the ticket from the machine and carries it with him while he is in the store. Should he make another purchase before leaving, he again places the ticket into the ticket punching device. Assuming the new pur chase to be another 5 one, the store clerk seeing that there is a 59? charge already on the ticket grips the plunger head 29 which represents a 10 charge, turns this plunger so as to cause the 19 punch device to assume its punching position, and then presses in the plunger to punch the ticket at 10.

In this manner the ticket may be returned to the punching machine any number of times to have amounts added to it. It is a feature of the machine that when the ticket is placed into the machine, initially it is completely unobstructed by the punching devices so that it may be seen. It is only after the clerk makes note of the amount that the ticket is to be punched, that a punching device is moved out across the ticket and operated to punch the ticket. After the punching operation the punching device automatically seeks its original position.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 5-7, a food check punching device is shown comprising a body 35 formed with a window opening 36. A means is provided within the body for supporting the food check l9 so that its central portion is free and viewable through the window opening 36. A transparent member 3! is arranged across the front of the food check and is formed with a plurality of openings 38. Punches 39 are slidably supported in bearings 49 behind the food check and are capable of punching holes within the back cooperative with the openings 38. A manual means is provided for operating each of the punches selectively and this means includes depressible heads 4| arranged upon the outer side of the body.

The transparent member 31 is slightly spaced inwards from the window 36 and is supported at its edges upon the side walls of the body 10. The punches 39 are adapted to extend into the openings 38 and so punch portions of the check. The punched out portions then fall downwards and are collected in a drawer 4?. slidably arranged at the bottom end of the body 35.

The means for operating the punches comprise rods 43 which extend through the front wall of the body I0 and at their extended ends are provided with heads 4|. The inner ends of the rods 43 are pivotally connected with levers 43. These levers are pivotally mounted intermediate of their ends at 44 and are urged in one direction by a coaxial spring 44*. The upper ends of the levers 43' are pivotally connected with the rear ends of the punches 39 and normally hold the punches rearwards. The arrangement is such that when one of the heads 4| is depressed the motion will be transmitted to operate one of the punches 39 which then moves forward and punches the food check at one position. The heads 4| are arranged in the same formation as the spaces on the feed check, and each head 4! represents a dif-: ferent amount on the check so that any amount on the check may be punched.

In Figs. 9 and 10 another form of food check It! has been illustrated. This check has three rows of spaces 59, 5! and 52 on one side superimposed on three similar rows of spaces on the other side, indicated by reference numerals 50, 5| and 52'. The center row on each side is imprinted with identical numbers indicating certain price amounts. One of the end rows on one side is printed with additional numbers indicating additional price amounts, and on the other side the remote row is printed with corresponding numbers indicating the identical amounts. The check thus constructed may be placed into the machine with I either side towards the operator of the machine since he is capable of inspecting the same, and punching the correct markings.

The machine is constructed with double punches 39, for simultaneously punching the end rows of numbers. The machine also has center punches 39 for punching the center row thereof. The end punches 39' are connected together for unitary operation with links 43".

Each of'the punches 39 and 39 tive with openings plate 31. The arrangement is such that when the check I9 is placed into the machine and the machine operated, if the amount being punched is along the center line, then only the center punches 39 function. If the amount is along the vertical end rows on the checks then both ends or edges are punched simultaneously. In this manner the check may be easily read from either side.

Other types of tickets may also be used, for instance, in which one single row of numbers are r printed on each face of the food check.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. I

Having thus described my invention, what I are coopera- 38 formed in the transparent claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A ticket punching device comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a ticket so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of said ticket, each comprising a jaw element having a punch element for location on one side of said, ticket and substantially fixedly supported, another jaw element having a complementary punch element located on the other side of said ticket and pivotally connected with said jaw element, and a depressible and turnable rod pivotally connected with said latter jaw element.

2. A ticket punching device comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a ticket so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of said ticket, each comprising a jaw element having a punch element for location on one side of said ticket and substantially fixedly supported, another jaw element having a complementary punch element located on the other side of said ticket and pivotally connected with said jaw element, and a depressible and turnable rod pivotally connected with said latter jaw element, said means for supporting the ticket comprising a bottom element for supporting the bottom end of the ticket, an opening in the top of said body through which the ticket may be engaged and rested on the bottom support in a manner so that the top portion of the ticket projects from the opening.

3. A ticket punching device comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a ticket so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of said ticket, each comprising a jaw element having a punch element for location on one side of said ticket and substantially fixedly supported, another jaw element having a complementary punch element located on the other side of said ticket and pivotally connected with said jaw element, and a depressible and turnable rod pivotally connected with said latter jaw element, said means for supporting the ticket comprising a bottom support element for supporting the bottom end of the ticket, an opening in the top of said body through which the ticket may be engaged and rested on the bottom support in a manner so that the top portion of the ticket projects from the opening, and flanges surrounding said opening.

4. A ticket punching device comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a ticket so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of said ticket, each comprising a jaw element having a punch element for location on one side of said ticket and substantially fixedly supported, another jaw element having a complementary punch element located on the other side of said ticket and pivotally connected with said jaw element, a depressible and turnable rod pivotally connected with said latter jaw element, and resilient means for urging each of said jaw elements into their initial neutral positions.

5. A ticket punching device comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a ticket so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of said ticket, each comprising a jaw element having a punch element for location on one side of said ticket and substantially fixedly supported, another jaw element having a complementary punch element located on the other side of said ticket and pivotally connected with said jaw element, a depressible and turnable rod pivotally connected with said latter jaw element, and resilient means for urging each of said jaw elements into their initial neutral positions, comprising springs acting between the said body and parts of said punch device.

6. A ticket punching device comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a ticket so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a plurality of jaw punch devices positioned along the sides of said ticket, each comprising a jaw element having a punch element for location on one side of said ticket and substantially fixedly supported, another jaw element having a complementary punch element located on the other side of said ticket and pivotally connected with said jaw element, and a depressible and turnable rod pivotally connected with said latter jaw element, a spring for urging each punch device into a neutral position, and a stop for limiting the action of said spring to move the punch device only to the neutral position.

'7. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a food check so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches.

8. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a food check so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches, each of said punches being slidably supported in a bearing.

9. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a food check so that its central portion, is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches, each of said punches being slidably supported in a bearing, and said means for operating the punches including a lever pivotally connected with the inner end of the punch, and a mechanism by which the lever may be moved to move the punch.

10. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a food check so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches. 11. A food check punching device, comprising ing device, and having a central row of numbers indicating values and end rows indicating additional values, said food check being imprinted on both sides and arranged to be engageable within the food check punching device with either side towards the front.'

12. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a Window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a food check so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches, a food check for said food check punching device, and having a central row of numbers indicating values and end rows indicating additional values, said food check being imprinted on both sides and arranged to be engageable within the food check punching device with either side towards the front, said punches being arranged in groups, one group being for punching the center row on the food check, and the other group for simultaneously punching the edge rows of the check.

13. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted "on'said body for'supporting a food check so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches, a food check for said food check punching device, and having a central row of numbers indicating values and end rows indicating additional values, said food check being imprinted on both sides and arranged to be engageable within the food check punching device with either side towards the front, the manual means for operating said punches comprising pushable heads projecting from the said body and spring means for keeping the said heads in their initial positions.

14. A food check punching device, comprising a body with a window opening, means mounted on said body for supporting a food check so that its central portion is free and viewable through said window opening, a transparent member across the front of said check and formed with openings, punches behind said food check for punching holes therein in cooperation with said openings, and manual means for operating said punches, a food check for said food check punching device and having a central row of numbers indicating values and end rows indicating additional values, said food check being imprinted on both sides and arranged to be engageable within the food check punching device with either side towards the front, the manual means for operating said punches comprising pushable heads projecting from the said body and spring means for keeping the said heads in their initial positions, the pushable heads being joined with a linkage system to corresponding punches for puncturing the food checks.

SOL TAUB. 

